**GAO-03-506**                      Published: May 09, 2003. Publicly Released: May 09, 2003.                  

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## Highlights

Recent trends in children's health and eating habits are alarming. Over 15 percent of children are overweight--double the rate in 1980. Children's diets are high in fat but low in fruits, vegetables, and other nutritious foods. The National School Lunch Program has had a continuing role in providing students with nutritious meals. However, serving the meals is only the first step. Students must choose to eat the nutritious food and limit the less healthful choices. GAO was asked to report on the extent to which school lunches, nationwide, were meeting nutrition standards, and schools were encouraging healthy eating, what barriers selected schools faced in accomplishing this, and what innovative steps they had taken to overcome the barriers.

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## Topics

Education

ChildrenFood programs for childrenFood servicesNutrition researchSchoolsStudentsNutritionSecondary schoolsNutrition educationElementary schools